Saturday's episode in the library was definitely the best 'new series' episode for a long time, if not ever. Could have done without the "Oh Doctor! Don't you remember me?!" woman though. Jeeesus, if even I'm grinding my teeth with frustration and boredom when any of that balls starts up, what about the kids?

I don't think it's coincidence that Saturday's episode was also the simplest they've done in a long time. No unconvincing CGI baddies, no endless running around as the Doctor sonic-screwdrivers his way along endless corridors - in other words, much like the classic series: a story based more around ideas than action, allowing the audience to use their imagination rather than shoving scary monstars in their faces.

And yeah, I dunn about that woman! I think maybe she will die and it will all become part of time that was altered. I couldn't imagine the Doctor marrying -- and even if he marry someone, I don't think it would be her.

So, this week's episode - original use of a single set and limited cast, or a bit ****? I really can't decide. Although it was nice to have an implicit 'monster' for a change, and the lack of running around screaming was a welcome change of pace, I think you need more than 12 people standing around shouting at one another for 45 minutes to make a great episode.

I will say this: it was better than I've come to expect from Russell T Davies, and the absense of Donna was a bonus. Neither of these things is saying much.

Mitchell could be great, although I can't see him doing it with tongue out of cheek. But how about getting Webb in too - he'd make an interesting sidekick. I'm surprised Mr TDavies hasn't given the Doctor more male companionship over the years...

This Saturday's episode was a fairly big change of pace from the Library two-parter.
It had some interesting ideas, but on the whole it didn't really do it for me though - most of the characters felt a bit too stereotypical to me, and most of the clothing and cabin technology were surprisingly contemporary.

The Rose thing is annoying me slightly now, hopefully the finale (does that start next week?) will be good though.
Incidentally, did anyone else notice his list of companions starting with Rose? It looks like they're considering the new stuff a lot more important than the old. Maybe that's reasonable though. It can't be denied that there's a very clear gap between old and new.

There were some good performances though, and it was an interesting concept to explore. We don't often see him having to cope by himself, and at the mercy of other people. It fleshes things out a bit.

That companion thing annoyed me - it would've been so easy to slip in Ace or, hell, even Sarah Jane who the kiddies know already. RTD must've had an attack of nerves or something.

The very very unsubtle appearance of Rose annoyed me too. I liked the subtle ones - The Poison Sky's blink-and-you'll-miss-it and Forest of the Dead's picture on the wall of a blonde girl and a big wolf - but even the Doctor went out-of-focus in this cameo.

I did enjoy the episode though. Something very different, but yes, a few too many stereotypes. I loved the ending though, very downbeat.

And now we come to the final three-parter. Wow these series shoot by quick!

Ah, I see. The only one who's "supposed" to die is Donna. I will be very impressed (if very sad) if the Doctor truly, permenantly regenerates-

- sorry, SPOILERS!! -

-and they've managed to keep quiet about it. Hell, even the Doctor Who website couldn't keep other returning cast members next week quiet. They're lucky if they can keep a single scene secret, let alone a whole 65 minute episode.

Yes, exactly. And the BBC are offering Tennant a lot of money to stay on.

Although I don't know what's going to happen next episode, and for that reason I'm looking forward to it!

Want a spoiler for the Christmas special? My favourite enemies are returning, and about damn time too! Screw Daleks! I suspect there'll be a trailer for it after this Saturday's episode, so it's not too much of a spoiler.

I did mean in the Classic Series rather than new, but you're right, I totally forgot about Death To The Daleks. I thought Sarah-Jane joined the Third Doctor right at the end of his run/life - I think I was confusing her with Peri.

Matt Smith. Who? Well, that's the good thing, he's almost completely unknown, just like all the Doctors should be. Steven Moffat seems to love him. The only drawback is that he's astonishingly young, even younger than Peter Davison was when he took over, and I'm worried the BBC wanted a more kiddy-friendly face.

I'm sure he'll be fine though. I'm more worried about what iconic villains are going to turn up in Season Five, as there aren't really any decent ones left!

Okay, read "I'm more worried about" as "I wonder what". You're right, if there's one thing I'm not worried about, it's the quality of the show. Season Five is going to be great.

Steven Moffat himself, in the Confidential special that introduced Matt Smith yesterday, said that there was far too many really young actors on their audition list that the BBC had prepared. But what swayed me towards Matt was Moffat's insistence on a 30-40 year old, which he instantly disregarded the moment Smith auditioned.

The only thing Smith doesn't have is that air of geekiness that David Tennant always did. Tennant's one of us. He was always a fan of the show, and indeed is one of only two actors to appear in Doctor Who before they were cast as the Doctor (the other being Colin Baker). Tennant's was only in audio though, so he probably got away with it.

The lack of geek-cred is a disappointment in Smith, but it's not a problem. He (and Season Five) I have full confidence in.

They could have made a sand dune in the studio, put up a blue screen, and it would have been the same, but cheaper to make since they wouldn't have to go somewhere where, if RTD lived out his sexuality, he'd be locked up.

I don't think they could have made it as good in a studio. That was the best we've ever seen an alien planet in Doctor Who IMO. It looked fantastic. (Did you download the episode? Maybe you would have seen more of a difference if it had been on a TV?)